The Ministry of Education (MOE) announced that over 20,000 new teachers will be placed in schools across the country this year, in an effort to tackle teacher shortages and ensure schools are adequately staffed.
As of 22nd September, a total of 10,045 teachers have already been assigned with another 10,096 teachers drawn from the open market and graduates of the Bachelor of Teaching (PISMP) Programme from Teacher Education Institutes (IPG) set to begin duties this month. This will bring the total teacher placements for 2025, to 20,141.
To secure a sustainable supply of educators, the MOE has increased in PISMP intake to 11,000 candidates in 2025, up from 6,300 the previous year. The ministry has also strengthened inter-ministerial collaboration through a Joint Secretariat with the Higher Education Ministry, established in March, to coordinate efforts in addressing teacher shortages nationwide.
The ministry highlighted that permanent teacher recruitment now occurs twice a year, while the Education Service Commission continues to accept applications on a rolling basis.
“Through these initiatives, the MOE is confident that teachers workloads will be eased, enabling educators to focus fully on teaching and learning.”
The announcement came after Sungai Petani MP Dr Mohammaed Taufiq Johari requested updates on measures to address teacher workload issue and the placement of educators in under-resourced schools. The move aligns with the approval of the 2026 Supply Bill at the committee stage in Parliament, which grants the MOE RM66.2 billion, up from RM64.2 billion last year.
The MOE added that these initiatives will be continuing refined to ensure the well-being of teachers nationwide while maintaining high standards in teaching and learning.
Sources: NST
